The Butler weekly times., 1887-02-09
.A., xent on with an effort

lioht TO make shore twas MIN never
seed nothin' at fust but Rod'rick. his
ewes a-shinin' like Goals of fire. Party
soon seed somethin' tied across his
back-it wor nv Pete! o, soldiers. you
sent my boy back home to die with a
bullet through his breast" and the old
man threw out his arms wildly; then
turned and hid his face on Roxy $
shoulder.
Not a man but felt that simple story
touch his heart and Toby's big brown
ewes were wet with unshed tears.
The boy was clinging close to his
father now.
Say. pap. amt yer done got me?"
he whispered. wistfully.
b mo, don't want yer" cried the faith
er, bitterly. They've TUX my Pete. an
what air you in his placer" So the
child shrank, trembling and repulsed,
down by the bundle of withering sumac.
The soldiers were going away quietly.
leaving the old man in peace. when
afar up the mountain road they discern
ed men in gray hastening in their di-
rection.
Boys" cried one as he sprans on
Roderick's back. I'VE might as we'll
have this horse as those .Rebs! Old
man, you'll have to lose your horse any,
how-now he's gone in good cause!"
And the others. following their leader.
made haste to get into the road and
away to place of safety. leaving Abe
Potts frozen to the ground with wonder
and despair. That night, as Roxy sat
sadly knitting socks for those who we're
fighting so bravely, Toby crept up and
leant his elbows on her knees
Roxy" he whispered, 'If yer don't
see Toby no more arter ter night. don't
be skeered! I'm agoin' arter Rod'rl.k.
he said. solemnly. as his sister started
with surprise.
mo. no, Tobe!" winding her strong.
young arms close about his thin. little
form, you've got to stay hyah an take
keer of US now." she murmured. soo:h-
ingly. as gently swaying to and fro the
rocked his head in her lap. Two big
tears fell on her busy fingers, then press
ing kiss on her sunburnt cheek. he
drew near the bright wood fire and tat
still holding his face between his hands.
watching. perhaps for the last time, the
pine knots blaze and burn; watching
till the light died down to red ashs.
then crumbled into dust When the sln
rose again. gliding the purple mountin
peaks and touching the tiny clouds I'll
they glowed like molten silver. Tdbe
was far ON his way to the Federal camp.
Morning waxed to noontide and sill
the little figure in patched clothes cov,r-
cd with dust travelled unwsariedy.
Now and then stopping to bashe lie
feet in some wayside spring. snatchilg
. fallen apple kissed too hotly BY ne
autumn sun. on and on past the swdl-
ing hills. fond and projecting - a moh-
er's breasts, till the long shadows
stretch. like Grants arms, toward The
sea- Another turn in the rocky rad
and Toby sees tents pitched closed at
hand. before which sentinels in Llue
uniform pass necessarily.
Toby brings no passport, nothingbut
. brave heart and pair Of big br,wn
eyes. bright now with a great hope.
want to be stable boy, do you,
Johnny Rebp" laughs the soldier.
Toby pulls his forelock in imitation
of military etiquette. 1t pleases the man.
who. slapping him no. unkindly on his
thin shoulders, pushes him toward the
inclosure. There's the stable. &c see
what you can do!'
Saddle the new horse for the Colonel
II you can-I can't manage him."
shouts a private.
An instant and the boys hand presses
the horses neck-wel do they know
each other. playmates for years. The
horse bends his glossy neck in loving
submission. The colo: comes and goes
in Toby's cheek like pulse. This i.
the moment for him to act, anu like n
flash he is in his accustomed .,eat and
together they dash at the ride loo fnce
clearing it at one bou,d, and fiy med,v
across the grass out 70 the open t,ad.
A whistling sound bnaks the air near
Tobys head~another and another, as
they 60 like pent-up storm. Toby's
hat lies back in the camp and his brown
hair flies out straight behind him.
Without turning his head he knows
they are following him. 1t wa, too
much for little Rebel to steal such a
horse under their ve.y noses, and three
soldiers are coming in hot pursuit.
Roderlck knows it too and Strains
himself to the utmost; he leaps across
the parched brook. up the mountain
side, breaking the dry twigs and scat.
tering the fallen leaves Bullets were
whizz'ng through the hazy air and Toby
feels a sharp. quick pain in his sde-il
is nothing. he inks-something arike.
his arm and it drops powerless % hi.
side; but the faithful horse knows th,
beloved form he carries and seems BY
the swaying Of his body to hold th,
rider firm The three soldiers arc clos,
upon them now. Toby could hear thei
shouts but that he Is sunk into a sort Of
dream He seems to be gathering
sumac OK the golden mountain side viii
Roxy. and looking up sees Roderick fly
ing past Three men are close behint
him. and in front . cloud of dust rlse
HD like nmoke from q batfl. uround